House of Representatives Calls for State Police Amid Rising Kidnappings in Oyo State
The House of Representatives has expressed concern over the increasing number of kidnapping incidents in Oyo State and across Nigeria, emphasizing the vulnerabilities within the country’s centralized police system. Lawmakers are now urging the rapid advancement of legislative measures to create a state police force and a more decentralized security structure.
Legislative Action in Response to Kidnappings
This initiative gained momentum following an emergency public motion presented by Olamijuwonro Alao-Akala, the representative for Oyo State, on May 16. This motion was a direct response to the abduction of over 30 students and teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Community Grammar School in Eshiele, and LA Primary School in the Orile Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Urgent Implementation of Decentralized Security Measures
The House has called on both the National Assembly and the Executive Branch to urgently begin implementing the previously adopted resolution aimed at establishing a decentralized security framework. This framework includes state and local police forces, decentralized courts, and an integrated national intelligence and surveillance network.
The Human Cost of Inaction
Lawmakers noted that citizens have endured enough suffering, stressing that delays in addressing these issues are resulting in bloodshed and pushing the nation closer to chaos. The urgency of the situation was highlighted by the tragic murder of Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher allegedly beheaded by his captors, an act that reflects the grim security landscape surrounding the Old Oyo National Park area.
Need for Structural Security Reforms
Alao-Akala remarked that the recent attacks underscore an urgent need for comprehensive security reforms, including the establishment of state and local police forces and a more integrated intelligence approach. He cautioned that the surrounding forests of the former Oyo National Park have transformed into a lawless corridor, facilitating the movements of armed groups and threatening the stability of the South-West region.
Recognition of Ongoing Rescue Efforts
The House acknowledged the rescue operations by security agencies, as well as President Bola Tinubu’s decision to deploy 1,000 forest guards to the region. However, lawmakers stressed that these measures must be accompanied by more proactive and sustained actions to avert further attacks.
Call for Immediate Action and Infrastructure Enhancements
The House also urged the federal government and security agencies to prioritize the swift release of the remaining abducted students and teachers, warning of the dire consequences of any further delay. Additionally, the establishment of a permanent military forward operating base in the Orile Local Government Area was proposed as a vital step to bolster security operations within the Old Oyo National Park and its adjacent border corridors.
Monitoring Implementation of Resolutions
In a bid to ensure accountability, the House directed the Defense, Interior, Police, and National Security committees to oversee the implementation of these resolutions and report back within 30 days.
